Bill > HB188

This bill establishes the Welcoming Alaska Office, a new state agency designed to support and integrate new immigrants and newcomers into Alaska's workforce and community. The office will provide employment information, job placement services, and guidance on workplace rights, while also consulting with stakeholders to reduce employment barriers and develop strategies for recruiting and retaining immigrant workers. The bill creates a Welcoming Alaska Advisory Committee comprising nine members from various sectors, including legislators, nonprofit representatives, and community stakeholders, who will help develop policies and monitor state agencies' efforts to support immigrants. The office will also establish a Welcoming Alaska Center, subject to appropriation, offering services like language instruction, employment training, and assistance accessing government programs. Each executive branch department will designate a liaison to work with the office, and the agency will have broad responsibilities including researching demographic trends, coordinating language access initiatives, and making policy recommendations. The bill defines "newcomers" as people who have moved to Alaska from another state within the past 36 months and "new immigrants" as people who have arrived or will arrive as immigrants or refugees. Additionally, the office is required to conduct a study on immigration opportunities and submit a report to the legislature by July 1, 2027, with the entire initiative set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Government Affairs

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB188